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Mary Oliver from the Graduate School of Education is a successful recipient of the UWA Research Development Award for  2011. Mary will  explore the neurological basis of the cognitive acceleration program, Thinking Science Australia, with colleagues at the Telethon Institute for Child Health .

Thinking Science Australia , the two year program of professional development for teachers implementing the cognitive acceleration (CASE) program in Western Australian (WA) schools, is an intervention program. It is carried out in 30 science lessons over a two-year period. The aim is to improve the way students in years 8 and 9 understand and think about ideas and concepts and apply that to everyday problems.

A recent meta analysis of data on thinking skills shows that the Thinking Science program has a demonstrable impact on student cognition.

The UWA Research Development Award scheme is designed to provide an opportunity for early-career researchers to develop skills required for submitting grant applications and research plans.

These skills would be built upon for future research projects and to build track records for external grant competitiveness.

Grants are awarded for one year only.